When we speak of Kal and Diana as a couple, the skeptics often like to hurl at us that they are only friends or see each other as brother and sister or she digs the guy in the cowl. Well,that is incorrect. They currently are just "best friends" now but before Clark hooked up with Lois Lane in current continuity, he was smitten with Diana first.
DC relaunched the Superman and Wonder Woman titles in 1986. These became the new origins for the heroes. Man of Steel was written by John Byrne and Wonder Woman was written by George Perez. Superman's powers were limited and there was a lot more emphasis placed on the Clark Kent aspect of his persona to try to make him more relatable. Fandom is often split about this version of Superman who seems a little too passive and weak and not enough balance is given to his Kryptonian heritage. The reluctant hero is okay but two decades later on it makes a devolved Superman. Kal-El/Clark is supposed to be a man able to straddle two worlds and, as he matures, he embraces that he is something unique and larger than life and with it comes real responsibility and real sacrifices. His willingness to keep connected with Earth and its people and stay humble is what makes him so special. But he is a man with a deeper destiny than only Clark Kent, farm boy turn reporter.
Wonder Woman was a young, immortal, Amazon prodigy. She was molded from the earth and blessed with life and gifts by the Olympian gods. She no longer had the traditional crushing on Steve Trevor, the first man she sees, as the motivation for her to leave her home and become a hero. It was her own desire to use her gifts to better the world. In my mind it was more realistic and respectful and empowering. Her gifts, youthfulness, enthusiasm, even innocence, made her the best person to come out to the world as oppose to her immortal sisters, whose vision of men and the world had been tainted by their painful past. She becomes a woman who straddles two worlds as well. Only she will have a lot to learn as she has much to teach.
When Diana and Clark met I think Diana must have been about eighteen and I expect Clark was in his early twenties. Both still very young and figuring their way in the world as people and heroes. There, however, was an instant and deep attraction on both their parts. They begin to think and dream of each other.
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| Superman #5 Vol2 |
Clark dreams of Diana.
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| Wonder Woman #15 Vol2 |
Diana dreams of Clark.
Diana grew up surrounded by her mother and numerous doting aunts in paradise. But which, in fact, was an isolated, matriarchal, albeit enlightened society, with no men. So I guess as beautiful as Diana was, flirting and reading cues between the sexes were not exactly her forte. The synchronicity in the art of them dreaming of each other is clever . There is an eagerness shown on Clark's part and a tentativeness on Diana's. He wants this. She is not sure. It is all evident from their hands touching, both just about to kiss and they then wake up stunned at the intensity of their dreams.
Diana is confused by her feelings for Superman.
Clark is ready to embrace this attraction.
The interesting thing in all this is that they both don't know much about each other. They know they are heroes and fighting for the same thing but they really don't know anything personal about one another as yet. And they do hail from different backgrounds and are at a time in their lives where they are still finding their place. So I guess the lesson that is waiting to be learned here is, even if you are really really attracted to someone, you kind of need to get to know them first. Clark is willing though. But is Diana ready? Oh, and is Clark just about as sexy as you would ever see him getting out of bed after a hot dream about Diana? Byrne did some nice penciling and we all know George Perez is the master. So will our young heroes have a chance to pursue this attraction? We shall explore how that went.
